Sign up for the AdVanced Consulting Newsletter (the Advocacy Tipsheet)

Return to Advanced Consulting home page

Step #1:  Know What You Want

Under the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, the U.S. Congress asked the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to find ways to reduce Medicare costs.  Under this authority (HCFA) has proposed new rules regarding payments for cancer drugs to out-patient clinics like Dr. Ganpule's.  These rules may result in decreased revenues to these clinics, forcing some to shut down.  For more details, click here

Because this is a federal agency rulemaking process, interested parties should do two things:

(1)  Write your members of Congress and ask them to send a letter to HHS Secretary Shalala expressing concern about the rules.  Send the sample letter for Members of Congress with your cover letter asking for your member's support.  Information on identifying your members of Congress (your two Senators and one representative) is covered in step 2.

(2)  Using your cover letter as a guide, write to Secretary Shalala expressing your concern over the rules.

Your cover letter should make the following points:

	You are concerned about HCFA's new rules on Medicare payment reductions for chemotherapy drugs administered at a medical oncologists office or hospital cancer  center.
	Dr. Ganpule and his colleagues are recognized as the best Cancer doctors in the Central Coast area.
	These rules present a financial danger to Dr. Ganpule's practice and hence a serious danger to your health.
	It is difficult to get such high-quality treatment anywhere else.
	You understand and agree with the desire to reduce costs in the Medicare system.
	However, this proposal is not the right solution
	Congress and the Administration should reevaluate these proposed rules and the cost of cancer care generally.

A form letter is not included on this site because your message will be considerably more effective if you write your own letter.

Now, move on to step two:  Finding out who your Member of Congress is, as well as addresses for Congress and Secretary Shalala.